The U.S. is shifting its military focus from Iraq to Afghanistan, where a coalition of international forces seeks to stabilize the territory and combat terrorism. U.S. President Barack Obama has also ordered an additional 17,000 troops to carry out the mission in Afghanistan.

The U.S. launched Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2001, with British support. NATO'S international security force has turned its attention to Afghanistan and has troops engaged from 42 nations.

Worldfocus continues to explore this troubled region with special emphasis on the role played by U.S. allies across the globe. Worldfocus examines the ongoing conflict from the perspectives of several countries, including, Canada, Estonia, Iran, Pakistan and Russia.

"War in Afghanistan" is a collection of signature videos, interviews, an online radio show, reporter observations and analysis from the field and blogger perspectives.

War in Afghanistan

Blogwatch

The drone war in northwest Pakistan has brought attention to the attenuated al-Qaeda core that moved from Afghanistan in late 2001. But two events in December -- a failed Christmas Day bombing and an attack on CIA operatives in Afghanistan -- have led analysts to re-assess al-Qaeda's perceived decline. Worldfocus takes a look at the organization's evolution.

Video

Pakistani and American agents recently captured the second-in-command of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. Hailed as a major victory in the war in Afghanistan, last week's raid was revealed today by the New York Times. Zeina Khodr of Al Jazeera English has more on the latest news.

Interview

On the third day of the biggest allied military offensive in Afghanistan since 2001, U.S., British and Afghan troops have converged on Marjah, a Taliban stronghold and opium hub in Helmand province. Coalition forces are said to be engaged in numerous firefights throughout the city. Brian Katulis, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, joins Daljit Dhaliwal for more.

Blogwatch

This week, Pakistani Taliban finally confirmed what the Pakistani army had claimed many days ago -- that Hakimullah Mehsud was killed last month by U.S. drones. While there are conflicting reports about which strike dealt Mehsud the mortal blow, the Pakistani Taliban are leaderless for the second time in six months. Read how commentators are assessing the drone war.

Perspectives

Worldfocus contributing blogger Sana Saleem writes about the Pakistani reaction to the trial of Aafia Siddiqui, the Pakistani neuroscientist who was convicted of trying to kill American soldiers while in custody in Afghanistan. She argues Aafia’s case highlights the underlying mistrust amongst the Pakistani people for the United States.

Week in Review

The idea of a negotiated settlement to the Afghan war gained new currency this week. In our weekly roundtable, James Rubin, a former assistant secretary of state in the Clinton administration, and Gideon Rose of Foreign Affairs magazine, join Daljit Dhaliwal to discuss the pitfalls and possibilities of negotiating with the Taliban.

Interview & Video

Worldfocus' German partner Deutsche Welle reports on a successful effort by local groups to drive out the Taliban in northern Afghanistan. And, Nora Bensahel, senior political scientist at the Rand Corporation, joins Daljit Dhaliwal to discuss the likelihood of succeeding with this strategy.

Video Blogwatch

As unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become increasingly central to America's wars, "drone porn" has taken the internet by storm with captivating aerial images of death and destruction. The Defense Department actually posts its drone attack footage on YouTube via public relations firm DVidsHub. Some of the videos have caught the attention of millions.

Interview

Ahmad Kamal, Pakistan's former Ambassador to the United Nations, and Hassan Abbas, a former Pakistani government official who is now with the Asia Society, join Edie Magnus for a roundtable on AfPak. They discuss power-sharing with the Taliban, drone strikes along the Afghan border in northwest Pakistan and American foreign policy challenges in the region.

How You See It

As the U.S.-led coalition fights an increasingly tough war against the Taliban, there is new talk of reaching out to elements of the group. On Thursday, a conference in London will explore ways of bringing the Taliban into the government and how to transfer security responsibility to Afghan forces. There is growing hope that an agreement with the Taliban could end the war.